Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1887-02-17

remark from Rawlins seemed to complete
his embarrassment
"Ye had mighty narrer escape down
there just now said that gentleman conf
dentially, as Hale buckled his saddle girths
II thought, as we were not supposed to
defend ourselves, there was no danger said
Hale scornfully.
ooh, don't mean them road agents But
him.
@WhoP'
4Kernel Clinch. You iist ez good as al
lowed he hadn't any grit"
Whatever I said, 1 suppose am respon-
sible for it, answered Hale haughtily.
that's what gifts me" was the imperturb-
able reply aHe's the best shot in southern
California, and hez let daylight through
dozen chaps afore now for half what you
sald.n
aIndeedl"
"Howsummever,n continued Rawlins, phil
osophically, "ez he's concluded to go with We
instead Of for We, you're likely to hev your
ideas on this matter carried out up to the
handle He'll make short work of it. you
bet Eff ez / suspect, the leader is an airy
young Teller from Frisco, who hez took to the
road lately, Clinch hez got personal grudge
agin him from a quarrel over draw pokerp
This was the last blow to Hale's ideal cru
SADIE. Here lie was-an honest, respectable
citizen-engaged as simple accessory to a
lawleSs vendetta originating at gambling
tablet When the fist shock was over that
grim philosophy which is the reaction of all
imaginative and sensitive natures came to his
aid. He felt better; oddly enough lie began
to be conscious that he was thinking and act
ing like his companions With this feeling
vague sympathy, before absent, family
showed itself in their actions. The Shapes
rifle put into bis hands by the stableman was
accompanied by familiar word Of sugges-
find fiattered him. He was able TO continue
the conversation with Rawlins more coolly.
"Then you suspect who is the leader?n
'Only ON giniral principles There was
finer touch, so to speak, in this yer robbery
that wasn't in the old fashioned style. Down
in my country they he'd crude ideas about
them things-used to strip the passengers of
everything, includin' their clothes. They say
that at the station hotels, when the coaches
came in, the folks used to stand round with
blankets to wrap up the passengers SO ez not to
skeer the wimcn. Thar's story that the
driver and express manager drove up oneday
with only copy of The Atty Californy
wrapped around 'em; but thin" added Raw
Inns grimly, there was folks ez said the hull
eff alxyo adv
The Atty"
"Time's up"
"Are you ready, gentlemen." said Col
Clinch.
Hale started. He had forgotten his wife
and family at Eagles Court, ten miles away
They would be alarmed at his absence, would
perhaps hear some exaggerated version of the
stage coach robbery and fear the worst
SIS there any way could send line to
Eagles Court before daybreakf he asked
eagerly.
The station was already drained of its
spare men and horses The undenominated
passenger stepped forward and offered to
take it himself when his business, which he
would dispatch as quickly as possible, was
concluded.
i'That amt bad idea, said Clinch, re-
fectively, "for eff yer hurry you'll head 'em
of in case they scent us, and try to double
back on the North ridge. They'll fight shy
of the trail if they see anybody on it, and
one mans as good as dozen"
Hale could not help thinking that he
might have been that one man, and had his
opportunity for independent action but for
his rash proposal, but it was too late to with
draw now. He hastily scrubbed few lines
to his wife on sheet of the station paper,
handed it to the man, and took his place in
the little cavalcade as it filed silently down
the road.